Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 638,483. Patented Dec. 5, I899. w. w. SWETT.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Mar. 25, 1896.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shani l.

3 7 Zzr MYZZarW THE ucmms PETERS ca, vuorauma. wnsumoron. n. c.

No. 638,483. Patented Dec. 5, I899."

- w. w. SWETT.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application flied Mar. 26, 1896.)

2 Sheets-Shaet 2.

(No Model.)

Mina/129.1".

r'rn arts ATFNT tries.

IVIIJBRA W. SIVETT, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO THE AOETYLENEHOUSE LIGHTING COMPANY, OF WEST VIRGINIA.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,483, dated De ember5 1899.

Application filed March 25, 1896- Serial No. 584,814. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBRA WV. SWETT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and Stat e ofMinnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAcetylene-Gas Generators and Holders; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide an improved acetylene-gasgenerator and holder.

To this end my invention comprises the novel devices and combinations ofdevices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

The preferred form of myinvention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like letters refer to like parts throughout theseveral views.

Figure l is a front elevation of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a planview of the same, some parts being shown in sect-ion. Fig. 3 is acentral vertical section taken through the apparatus on the line'X X ofFig. 2. Fig. 4. is a vertical sectionv taken through a portion of theapparatus substantially on the line X X of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a verticalsection taken through a portion of the apparatus substantially on theline X X of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a view in perspective showing acylindrical cage-like carbidholder removed from the generating-cham her,with the removable head of said cage-like carbid-holder withdrawntherefrom. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing one of the flangedwheels or antifriction-sheaves used in connection with the rotarycarbid-holder. Fig. 8 is a detail in elevation, looking from the outsideof the apparatus, showingaface-plate valve-seat; and Fig. 9 is a detailin elevation, also looking from the outside of the apparatus, showing aface-valve which cooperates with the valve-seat shown in Fig. 8.

a indicates a cylindrical tank having an open upper end and providedwith a bottom plate a, located aconsiderable distance above its lowerextremity.

ing an open lower and a closed upper end and working telescopically inthe interior of the tank-section a, with its sides spaced some littledistance from the walls of said tank-section a. Frictional engagementbetween the tank-sections a and b is prevented by means ofautifriction-roller devices a and b, mounted, respectively, on saidtank-sections a and b and engaging, respectively, with said tanksectionsb and a.

As shown, the tank-section b is provided on its closed upper end with ahorizontallyarranged striking surface or disk secured thereto below theapex of said closed end.

As shown, the generating compartment or chamber is formed by acylindrical body 0, which is secured in a horizontal positionimmediately under the bottom plate a of the tank-section aby means ofyoke-pieces c,'embracing said cylinder and having their ends riveted orotherwise secured to said bottom plate a. The cylinder 0 is closed atitsinner end by means of the fixed head 0 and. at its outer end by means ofa removable head 0 An air-tight joint is formed between the open end ofthe cylinder 0 and head 0 by means of a packing ring or gasket 0 clampedbetween said parts. The removable head 0 is provided with peripheralnotches c and the cylinder 0 is provided with correspondingly-locatedhinge-lugs c.

0 indicate draw-bolts which are pivoted or hinged at their rear ends tothe hinge-lugs o and are provided at their outer free ends withscrew-threads on which work nuts 0 The f ree ends of these draw-boltsare adapted to be engaged with or disengaged. from the notches o of thehead 0 by lateral pivotal movement. When the draw-bolts o are e11- gagedwith or turned into the notches 0 the removable head 0 may be tightlyclamped into place by tightening the nuts 0 on the draw-bolts c By theabove-described arrangement two chambers or compartments are formed--to'wit, the generating-chamber a, formed in the interior of the cylinder0, andthecombined water and storage chamber 2, formed in the interiorsof the tank-sections a and I).

In the preferred arrangement of my appa- 0 indicates a cylindricaltank-section hav- 1 ratus I equip the generatirig-chamber z with.

a rotary carbid-holder. As shown, this rotary carbid-holder comprises apair of flanged rings at, spaced apart and connected or tied together bya series of cylindrically-arranged rods d. The cylindrical cage thusformed is left open at its rear or inner end, and the cage or holder issupported in position, with freedom for rotary motion, by means of apair of grooved or flanged antifriction-sheaves (1 supported on studs (1projecting inward from the fixed cylinder-head c and by anantifriction-roller 01%, mounted on a stud d depending from the upperportion of the cylinder 0. As shown, there are two of the flangedsheaves (Z and the flanges of the same embrace and support the underportion of the peripheral flange d of the rear ring d, while there isbut one roller (1 and this engages the outer face of said flange d atthe upper portion of the same and serves to prevent the forward end ofthe cylindrical cage from dropping down when not otherwise supported.

When in working position, the forward end of the cylindrical cage orcarbid-holder (1 cl is closed by means of a removable cap or end piece61 which has a flange d engageable with the interior of the forward orouter ring (1 with sufficient friction to cause said parts to turntogether. The removable head 01 is provided at its center with a squareperforation d".

The carbid-holder just described is given rotary motion automatically bymeans of a device which, as shown, comprises the followin g details: findicates a short and loose shaft mounted in the removable cylinder-headc and provided at its outer end with a fixed ratchet-wheel f andterminating at its inner end in a square end or shank portion f adaptedwhen in working position to engage through the square perforation d ofthe holder-cap (1 It will be noted that the point of the shank portion fis made conical, so as to guide said shank portion into its seat whenthe cylinder-head c is placed in position. The shaft fis also providedforward of the shankf but inward of the cylinder-head 0 with a collar ff indicates a packing-ring which surrounds the 'shaftfbetween thecylinder-head c and the collar f Under the gas-pressure contained in thegenerating-compartment .2 when the apparatus is in operation thispackingring f will form an air-tight joint between the shaft f, thecollar f and cylinder-head c and will thereby hold said shaft f andratchetwheel f under a slight friction with respect to saidcylinder-head 0 f indicates a bracket or support carried by the movabletank-section l). f indicates a ratchet-rod pivoted at its upperend, asshown at f, to the end of the bracket f and provided at its free lowerend with ratchet-teeth f adapted for engagement with the teeth of theratchet-wheel f, carried by the shaft f. The lower end of thisratchet-rod f is permitted lateral swinging motion toward and from the adouble valve-seat g 9 ratchet-wheel) by means of a slotted bracket fsecured to the front of the tank-section a.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the ratchet-teeth f on the rodf and the teeth on the ratchet-wheelf are such that said ratchetteeth fwill turn the wheel f on the upstroke, but will slip over the teeth ofsaid wheel f on the downstroke. It will also be noted that the pivot fof the rod f is so located that the free end of said roll will be swungby gravity toward the ratchet-wheel f, so that the ratchet-teeth f willtend to engage the teeth of said wheel.

The compartmentszand z are in communication with each other through avalved passage which, as shown, is formed in a vertical pipe-section g,terminating at its lower end in a laterally-turned and contractednozzlesection g and terminating at its upper end in The upper valveseatsection 9 is provided with a central perforation g of substantially thesame size as the largest dimension of the pipe-section g. Thisperforation g is, as will be noted, located below the liquid-level ofthe compartment 2, while the nozzle-section g opens into the gencrating-chamber 2 and stands in position to discharge the water from thecompartmentz onto the carbid bodies contained in the holder at d.

9* indicates a ball-valve which works between and is adapted forengagement with either of the valve-seat sections g or g and is of suchdimensions that whenin an intermediate position it will open the passagebetween itself and said valve-seat sections, but will close said passagewhen moved into engagement with either of said sections 9 or 9 Theball-valve g is normally held upward into engagement with the valve-seatsection 9 by means of an air-bulb or float 9 having a stem g?, the lowerend of which is attached to said valve g and the upper end of whichprojects upward and is adapted to be engaged by the striking surface ordisk b carried by the movable tank-section b. it indicates a scoop orcatch-basin which is removably placed in the bottom of the cylinder 0,immediately below therotary carbid-holder d d, and adapted to catch theprecipitation of lime products from said carbid-holder.

'y indicates water contained in the tanksections a and b.

y indicates carbid bodies contained in the rotary cage-likeca'rbid-holder d d, and g indicates the lime products caught by theremovable scoop or basin h.

The compartments 2 and z are also in communication with each otherthrough a gasconveying pipe k, which taps the upper portion of saidgenerating-compartment z and terminates within the storage-compartment 2at a point above the liquid-level of the same. The upper end of thispipe is is provided with a check-valve 70, adapted to permit the flow ofgas from the generating-compartment z to the storage-compartment z,

but to prevent the flow of the gas from said compartment ,2 into saidcompartment 2.

m indicates a valved conveying or draw- 03; pipe, which also opens intothe storage chamberor compartment zfromapointabove the liquid-level ofthe same and ektends outward through the bottom of the fixed tanksectiona and leads to some desired point or points where it is to be consumed.

It will be understood, of course, that the burners, located at thedistant points of consumption and in connection with the pipe m, willcontrol the escapeof the gas from the storage-chamber a.

Water is supplied to the tanksection a through a supply-pipe 29, leadingfrom some suitable source of water-supply under pressure. The flow ofwater into said tank-section ct is automatically controlled, so as tokeep the liquid-level of the same practically constant,by means of thefollowing automatic valve mechanism:

19 indicates a face-plate valve-seat formed on the interior of avalve-box 13 secured to the exterior of the tank-section ct. The outerend of this valve-box p is closed by means of a removable cap 10, intowhich the supplypipe 19 is tapped for communication with the interior ofsaid valve-box 19 p indicates a face-valve, which works pivotallyagainst the face-plate valve-seat p and is rigidly secured to the outerend of a short shaft 29 the inner end of which projects through saidvalve-seat and terminates between the walls of the tank-sections 0t andZ). The valve 19 is provided with a passage 10 which is locatedeccentric to its pivot and is adapted to coincide with a passage 1) insaid valve-seat p in one position of said valve. It will be noted thatthe tank-section a is cut away, as shown at a so as to give an openingof snfficient size to include the passage 19 and the seat for the stem1%, formed in the valve-seat p.

19 indicates an arm which is secured on the inner end of the valve-shaft19 between the walls of the tank-sections at and b.

19 indicates an air-bulb or float having a stem 19 the lower end ofwhich is pivotally secured to the free end of the arm 19 9 indicates astop projectedinward from the side of the tank-section a and adapted tolimit the upward pivotal movement of the arm p The weight of the float pand arm 10 is sufficient when the level of the water y in the annularcompartment formed between the tank-sections at and b is lowered to turnthe valvep so that its passage 13 will be brought into registration withthe passage 10 in the valve-seat p. This will of course permit theinflow of water from the supply-pipe p, which will continue until thealtitude of the water in the annular compartment is again raised to itsnormal height. The water being thus raised around the air-bulb 13 willcause the same to rise, and thereby cause the valve 10 to be turned intoits closed position, so as to shut off the inflow of water from thesupplypipe 19. It will thus be seen that by means of the valvedevicejust described the altitude of the column of water in thetank-section a will be automatically maintained at practically aconstant height. This is important inasmuch as evaporation and thechemical action in the generation of the gas would otherwise cause thealtitude of the column to constantly vary.

The automatic operation of the apparatus in the act of generating gas issubstantially as follows: Before the generating action is begun watermust be placed in the tank a and carbid bodies must be placed in thecarbid-holder d d, as shown in the accompanying drawings. As alreadyindicated, the carbid bodies may be placed in the carbid-holder d d byremoving the cylinder-head c and the cage-cap f Before the generation ofgas has begun the movable tank-section b will be in its lowermostposition, in which position the striking-surface b will engage the upperend of the air-bulb stem 9 therebyholding the ball-valve g downwardtightly against the valve-seat section g thus closing the communicatingpassage g. The generation of gas may be started by introducing aninitial charge of water onto the carbid bod es y in thegenerating-chamber z. This may be readily done with a small apparatussimply by raising the movable tank-section b sufficiently to permit thevalve g to be unseated from the valve-seat section 9 under the action ofthe float 9 I11 case the apparatus is made very large, so that it is notconvenient to thus raise the tank-section b to cause the initialgeneration of gas, various means (not shown) might be devised forcausing this initial charge of water into the generating-chamber. Afterthe generation of gas has once been started the movable tank-section bwill be held upward with its striking-surface b above the upper end ofthe air-bulb stem g by the pressure of the generated gas thereincontained, and the valve 9 will be held against the valve-seat section gby the action of the air-bulb g". In this position .of the valve g thepassage 9 will be closed and the supply of water to thegenerating-chamber 2' will be shut off, thereby stopping the generationof gas. When, however, the volume of gas has been reduced below apredetermined amount, the tank-section b will be permitted to loweruntil the striking-surface b carried thereby, will be again engaged withthe upper end of the air-bulb stem 9 and thereby forces the valve gdownward out of engagement with the valve-seat section The lowering ofthe tank b will be very gradual, and hence water will be permitted toflow through the passage 9 onto the carbid contained in the holder (1(1, thereby causing the generation of gas which, flowing through the.pipe into the section b, will again raise the said section b.

It will thus be seen that the generation of the gas will beautomatically controlled and that this generation will take place onlyduring times when the gas stored in the chamber 2 is being consumed.

It will be noted that the nozzle end g of the pipe-section g iscontracted and turned laterally, so as to discharge a stream of wateragainst the particles of carbid g which are nearest to the inner end ofthe cylindrical carbid-holder d d.

As is obvious from the foregoing description, every time that themovable tank-section I) makes an upstroke the carbid-holder d (1 will begiven one step of rotary motion,

and under the continued reciprocations of said tank-section b saidcarbid-holder will be moved step by step in the constant direction ofrotation. This rotary action of the carbid-holder is a very importantfeature and greatly increases the efficiency of the apparatus. Under therotary motion of the carbid-holder the lime products which have beenformed within the same will be constantly rattled or shaken, and therebycaused to fall from said holder. By this action the lime products areeffectually prevented from clogging in the carbid-holder, and hencefresh or uneaten carbid bodies will always be exposed.

to the action of the water which is discharged from the nozzle-section gof the passage g. This renders the generating action certain andpositive as well as quick and sensitive.

The importance of the double or two-way closing action of the valve willnow be noted. Suppose, for example, that the carbid in the holder d dhas been entirely used up, so that the generation of gas is stoppedthereby. Now when the gas is drawn by use from the storage-co m partmentz the tank-section I) will of course be lowered, and the valve willthereby be forced downward out of engagement with the valve-seat sectiong fiwhich will of course open the passage gand permit water to flowtherethrough into the generating-chamber 2; but as there is presumablyno carbid in the holder at d no gas will be generated, and hence thetank-section b will remain in its lowermost position, This would ofcourse permit the continued flow of water from the chamber 2 into thegenerating-chamber 2" were it not for the fact that the valve 9 in itslowermost position is forced into contact with the valve-seat section gas already described.

- It-will be understood, of course, that it by any reason the water inthe tank Ct should lower to such an extent that the float 10 should bepermitted to turn the arm 10 and valve 10 into an extreme lowerposition, so that the passages 19 and p are thereby closed, the saidparts could be restored to their operative positions either by pouringwater into the top of the tank or by otherwise raising the said floatand lever.

It will be understood, of course, that While I have, in connection withthe preferred form of. myimproved apparatus,used specific terms todescribe certain parts thereof 1 do not-,however, intend to limit thescope of my claims thereto, except where positively set forth. It willalso be understood that various alterations in the details ofconstruction of the above apparatus may be made without departing fromthe spirit of my invention. It should also be understood that while Ihave used the term rotary holder for the carbid and means for impartingrotary motion to the carbid-holder in the specification and in certainof the claims, still, so far as the broad principles of my invention areconcerned, it is not necessary that this rotary holder be given completerotations; but, on the contrary, the above expressions are used in asense broad enough to cover a holder that is mounted for partialrotations or vibrations.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the'UnitedStates, is as follows:

1. In a gas-generator, the combination with the generating-chamber, of aliquid-conveying passage leading thereto, a valve and a pair of valveseats in said passage, said valve adapted to open the same, when in itsintermediate position, and to close the same, when moved in eitherdirection against one of the seats, and an automatic controller for saidvalve, operative to open and close the same, according to the pressu reof the generated gas.

2. A gas generator and bolder, comprising two compartments incommunication with each other through a fluid-passage, a ballvalve anddouble valve-seat adapted to open said passage, when in an intermediateposition and to close the same, when moved in either direction, and anautomatic controller for said valve operative to open and close the sameunder the pressure of the generated gas.

3. A gas generator and holder, comprising two compartments incommunication with each other through a fluid-passage, a valve in saidpassage adapted to open and close the same, a submerged float connectedto and tending to hold said valve in one position, and a part, movableby the pressure of the varying volume of generated gas, adapted to movesaid valve into its other position, against the action of said float.

4E. The combination with the two-part expansible holder, of thegenerating-chamber in communication with said holder through afluid-passage that is formed with a double valveseat, a ball-valveadapted, in its intermediate position, to be disengaged from saidvalve-seat to open said passage, but engageable with said valve-seat bymovement in either direction, to close said passage, and a submergedair-bulb connected to said ballvalve and subject to the action of themovable part of said expansible holder, substantially as described.

5. In a gas apparatus, the combination with a generatingchamber, of arotary holder adapted to hold and carry the solid gas-producer locatedin said generating-chamber, a

IIO

device comprising a ball-valve operated by the pressure of the generatedgas for controlling the flow of the liquid gas-producer onto the solidgas-producer, and automatic mechanism for m ovin g said rotary holder,substantially as described.

6. In a gas generator and holder, the combination with the two-partexpansible gasholder and the generating-chamber,with suitablecommunicating passages between the same of a rotary carbid-holder insaid generating-chamber, a sh aft engaging said rotary holder withinsaid generating-chamber and provided with a ratchet-Wheel, at a pointeX- terior of said generatingchamber, and a gravity-held ratchet-barpivoted at its forward end to a part movable with the movable section ofsaid expansible gas-holder, and provided at its free lower end withratchet-teeth which cooperate with said ratchet-Wheel, substantially asdescribed.

7. A gas apparatus comprising two compartments in communication witheach other through a fluid-passage, a valve adapted to open and closesaid passage, a float with connections to said valve adapted to hold thesame in one of its positions, and a part moved by the pressure of thevarying volume of generated gas, adapted to move said valve into itsother position against the action of said float.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILBRA W. SW'ETT.

Witnesses:

J As. F. WILLIAMSON, F. D. MERCHANT.

